Lesson 15: Overview and To Do List

Overview

Lesson 15 includes the research paper assignment details, information about writing labs, and is where you’ll submit your final draft.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson the learner will be able to do the following:

· Revise a draft for clarity and precision.

· Edit a refined draft for final submission.

· Apply the conventions of MLA style.

· Write in a clear, academic style.

Presentation: Revising and Editing Tips

Revising and Editing Tips

Use this to check your use of MLA style. 
https://writingcommons.org/article/mla-checklist/

Use this scoring Rubric: Literary ANALYSIS Essay Rubric to understand how points are distributed, earned, and lost.

Completion – Formatting (5pts) and Word/Page Count (5pts)
Follows MLA formatting guidelines
Key assignment instructions are followed
To achieve full scores, completion guidelines should be met.
Title (10pts)
Clearly tied to subject of essay
Creative and captures reader’s attention
Introduction (15pts)
Introduces pertinent topic and subject information
Smooth transition into thesis statement
To go beyond an average score, your introduction should clearly develop into your thesis
and create a groundwork for the rest of your essay.
Thesis – Essay Type (15pts)
Arguable
Supportable
In introduction
To go beyond an average score, your thesis should also raise interesting questions or
make especially original or insightful points.
Organization (15pts)
Essay is organized around arguments
Paragraph each have a clear purpose
Evidence (quotes and summary) is sorted and placed appropriately
To go beyond an average score, your essay would also include smooth and professional
transitions.
Support/Arguments (15pts)
Each topic sentence supports thesis statement
Topic sentences are clear and stated (one per body paragraph)
Topic sentences directly align with thesis (they match the thesis)
Claims are relevant, meaningful
Sufficient (Enough to prove a point)
Appropriate (Directly relates to the argument)
Clear (Put into context and explained)
Integrated (Put into your own sentences smoothly)

To go beyond an average score, your use of evidence should be clear, direct, and
especially effective.
Use of Primary Text/Evidence (15pts)
Sufficient (Enough to prove a point)
Appropriate (Directly relates to the argument)
Clear (Put into context and explained)
Integrated (Put into your own sentences smoothly)
To go beyond an average score, your use of evidence should be clear, direct, and
especially effective.
Use of Secondary Text/Evidence (15pts)
Sufficient (Enough to prove a point)
Appropriate (Directly relates to the argument)
Clear (Put into context and explained)
Integrated (Put into your own sentences smoothly)
To go beyond an average score, your use of evidence should be clear, direct, and
especially effective.
Clarity – major and minor grammatical errors (10pts and 10pts)
Essay is obviously proofread
Clear sentence structure
Few spelling or wording errors
Clear meaning throughout
To go beyond an average score, your essay would be written with few to no errors.
Voice – (10pts)
In each paragraph, you connect evidence to claims
In each paragraph, you make clear connections to thesis
Essay seems cohesive (is not repetitive or list-like)
To go beyond an average score, your analysis would develop a writerly voice.
MLA – Formatting (10pts)
Follows MLA citation guidelines
In-text and source citations are clear and formatted properly.
To achieve full scores, MLA guidelines should be met.
Notes: Plagiarism results in zero. No outside sources should be consulted or cited. Students who
over-rely on summary will not achieve a passing score.
To achieve a passing score, essay must:

Meet minimum page/word count
Clearly and coherently address the assignment
Be well organized with sufficient and appropriate support/textual evidence
Follow both MLA formatting guidelines and MLA citation method when appropriate.

Another set of eyes on our writing can be the best way to spot editing errors in our writing, but there are ways you can review your own work. Here are some proofreading tips you can try:

· Scan your essay with one specific grammar concern in mind, such as comma usage or apostrophes.

· Read your paper aloud. When we read silently, especially something we recently finished writing, sometimes we miss typos, overlook missing words, etc. The brain sees what we meant to write.

· Read your paper in reverse order. Start with the last sentence. This helps isolate each sentence which can be helpful in spotting run-ons or fragments. 

WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_literature/index.html

WRITING ABOUT POETRY
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_poetry.html

Literary Research Essay: Final Draft

This document includes the prompt, expectations, and requirements for the research paper. It includes an overview of each section of the essay, and information about what to include and how to organize your essay. 

LITERATURE RESEARCH ESSAY-CRITICAL APPROACHES

Literature Research Essay Assignment
Instructions
The purpose of this paper is to apply at least one literary critical approach to literature we
studied this semester. You will select one or two short stories or poems assigned in Modules 2-
11 to be the focus of your literary research and analysis.
Select from the following types of critical approaches:
Biographical
Historical
Feminist
Gender
Psychoanalytic
Postcolonial
Note: There are many more critical approaches than the ones listed here. Any of the critical
approaches defined in our textbook could also work.
For this essay you will:
1. Develop a thesis that connects an aspect of your chosen literature to at least one critical
approach.
2. Support your thesis by supplying pertinent evidence from the literature AND evidence
from at least 3 valid secondary sources.
Length:
This paper should be at least 4 full pages of text. This means that the last line of your essay
should hit the last line of page 4 (this does not include the Works Cited page).
Some Topic Examples:
Biographical and Historical approach to “Where Are You Going, Where Have You
Been?”: Examine Joyce Carol Oates’ inspiration for the story. (She wrote the story after
reading about a serial killer.)
Postcolonial approach to “A Wall of Fire Rising” by Edwidge Danticat: Poverty and
limited opportunities in Haiti prevent Guy from realizing his dreams. (Biographical and
Historical approaches could also work with this story.)
Feminist approach to Trifles by Susan Glaspell and “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by
Adrienne Rich: The main characters in both represent negative consequences of
oppressive marriages.
Psychoanalytic approach to “The Yellow Wall-Paper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
Symbols reflect the character’s declining mental health. Gilman’s own experience with
depression inspired this story.

Source Details:
You are required to use and document a minimum of four sources in this paper.
One of these sources should be the primary text(s) (short story or poem) you are
discussing.
The other three (or more) sources should be secondary sources in which scholars or
experts have written their interpretations and analyses of the texts or topics that are
relevant to your argument.
Sources must be valid for college level writing. Journal articles from the library
databases should be used.
Additional sources can be any type (website, documentary, personal interview, etc.) as
long as they are relevant and credible. Do NOT use Wikipedia, Ask.com, About.com,
Sparknotes.com, etc.
Format:
Your paper and the Works Cited page MUST be submitted in correct MLA format.
If your writing contains ANY plagiarism (if any source information is not credited to the source it came
from), you will be given a ZERO on the paper.
Final Tips:
• Don’t use summary any more than you need to in order to make a point; assume your
readers have already read the text; summary should only be used as support and for
clarity.
• Don’t use 1st person “I” or “we” or 2nd person “you” or “your” in your writing.
• Do make sure your work stays focused on discussing and proving the main argument
made in the paper’s thesis.
• Do make sure your work is in MLA format and your sources follow MLA guidelines.
• Do proofread and edit carefully!

Things to keep in mind:

1. For this essay, submit an MLA-formatted Word document (do not copy and paste).  You will submit your assignment below.

2. In 4
 full pages of text.  This means your essay should hit (or come reasonably close) the last line on page 4. 

3. Your first paragraph should include (a) the name of the story/poem and author/poet, (b) a one or two sentence summary of the text and (c) your thesis statement or main point about the poem.

4. Your essay should be written in academic style (no first or second person, academic language, use of MLA formatting) 
AND include examples or quotes from the story.

5. Chapters 33 and 34 in your textbook have additional information on developing a thesis statement, using quotations, and citing sources.

6. Scoring Rubric:  

Warnings:

1.
The majority of your research paper should be analysis of the text. 

2. A submission receipt will be emailed to you upon successful submission of the assignment.

3. Check your email or use the view/complete link to 
DOUBLE-CHECK whether or not your assignment was received.

Please refer to the course calendar, using the link on the left -hand navigation menu, for due dates.

ACTION PLAN

Action Plan

As I approach the final draft of my research essay, I have devised an action plan to ensure that my essay meets the requirements and reflects my best effort. First, I will do a comprehensive self-evaluation of my draft to identify any areas where it may fall short of the research essay requirements. I continually review the assignment prompt and rubric to ensure I have addressed all the essential elements required for this critical analysis. Peer reviews have become essential to writing, helping me obtain constructive feedback and evaluate my write-ups. I will carefully consider the feedback provided and use them to enhance my analysis’s clarity, coherence, and depth.

Based on my self-evaluation and peer feedback, I will also refine my thesis statement to ensure that it clearly and effectively conveys the theme of hope and despair in the context of socioeconomic challenges in “A Wall of Fire Rising.” My essay’s success is dependent on a strong and focused thesis. As I explore critical approaches to the text, I will select the one that best aligns with my analysis. Whether biographical, historical, feminist, gender, psychoanalytic, or postcolonial, I will ensure that my chosen approach enhances understanding of the characters’ struggles and motivations. Good and credible research is supported by evidence. To support my analysis, I am continually compiling relevant sources. I will seek sources that shed light on Danticat’s background and experiences that may have influenced her writing. For “Historical Relevance,” I will find scholarly works that provide insights into Haiti’s history and social context during the time the story is set. Additionally, for the “Social Issues” category, I will search for articles that analyze the immigrant experience and themes of displacement and aspiration.

I will also be keen to meet key instructions like the research paper size and the MLA citation and reference style chosen for this assignment. I also intent to spend enough time checking and revising before sending the final draft. I’ll look for grammatical mistakes, coherence, and the logical flow of ideas. A well-written essay will increase the overall effect of my analysis. Additionally, I will set aside time to work on the final adjustments to my paper. Specifically, I intend to work on it for two hours each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning to maintain consistency and properly manage my time.

By sticking to my action plan, I am confident of producing a well-crafted research essay that effectively explores the themes of hope and despair in “A Wall of Fire Rising” while adhering to the critical approach and meeting all the assignment requirements.

LITERARY ANALYSIS ROUGH DRAFT

Postcolonial Approach: “A Wall of Fire Rising” by Edwidge Danticat

In Edwidge Danticat’s short story “A Wall of Fire Rising,” she explores the consequences of postcolonialism on Haitian citizens. The narrative is centered on a family grappling with poverty and struggling with their dreams and ambitions in the aftermath of colonial rule by the French colonizers. By applying a postcolonial lens to the narrative, this essay sheds light on the effects of historical oppression on the characters and their pursuit of a more promising future.

The story takes place in post-colonial Haiti, where the legacy of oppression continues to overshadow the dreams and aspirations of a marginalized population. Guy, one of the key characters in the narrative, hopes of fleeing poverty in Haiti reflect the nation’s overall impact of postcolonial influences. This symbolizes the challenges faced by the Haitian people after the French colonial rule in the country. Guy’s obsession with the hot-air balloon, a symbol of freedom and escape, reflects his desire to escape the socioeconomic restraints imposed by colonial powers.

To support my research, I will incorporate postcolonial literature by experts. The sources will offer credible insights into the cultural and historical context of “A Wall of Fire Rising” and help understand the characters’ challenges. For instance, Go Julian explores how colonialism’s impact on culture, language, and social structures led to redefining individual and collective identities in the Caribbean region. A study by Seraphin also emphasizes the struggles the characters faced, highlighting the hardships the Haitians faced. Additionally, Henry Heller’s article offers insight into the historical context of the Haitian struggle for independence and the challenges that follow their after.

SOURCES

Atanasoski, Neda, and Lauren Curtright. “Edwidge Danticat.” (1998).

Candelario, Ginetta. “Meridians: 21: 1.” (2022).

Daniels, Kyrah Malika. “Vodou, the Arts, and (Re) Presenting the Divine: A Conversation with Edwidge Danticat.” 
Meridians 21.1 (2022): 11-48.

Danticat, Edwidge. “A Wall of Fire Rising.”.” 
Krik? Krak (1996): 51-80.

Lyons, Bonnie, and Edwidge Danticat. “An Interview with Edwidge Danticat.” 
Contemporary Literature 44.2 (2003): 183-198.

Miranda, Carlos Ortiz. “Haiti and the United States during the 1980’s and 1990’s: Refugees, Immigration, and Foreign Policy.” 
San Diego L. Rev. 32 (1995): 673.

Nicholls, David. 
From Dessalines to Duvalier: race, colour, and national independence in Haiti. Vol. 34. Rutgers University Press, 1996.

Seraphin, Wideline. “Dyasporic dreaming: the extraordinary literacies and superpowers of Haitian and Haitian American Girls.” 
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education (2022): 1-16.

Verner, Dorte. “Making Poor Haitians Count-Poverty In Rural And Urban Haiti Based On The First Household Survey For Haiti.” 
World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4571 (2008).

Cornish, Flora. “‘Grenfell changes everything?’Activism beyond hope and despair.” Critical Public Health 31.3 (2021): 293-305.

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